Improvement in condensing apparatus for gas-works



' zsh --sh` 1. H-HnGERToNy ee e" Improvement in.Condensi'ngfAppa-ratus for Gas-Works.

-No'l12gg'123'. Paientefl luly23, 1872.

;H. H. EDGERTON. I Improvement i Condensing Apparatus for Gas-Worksl `Nm 12g-,723. A Patented Jugy 23, 1872.y

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-NITED STATES PATENT rrrcm.n

HENRY H. EDGERTON, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

Specificationforming partpof Letters Patent No. 129,723, dated July 23, 1872.

To whom it may concern:

lBe it known that I, HENRY H. EDGERTON of Fort Wayne, Allen county, Indiana, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Gas-Gondensing Apparatus, of which the following isaspecification:`

My invention relates to apparatus forcondensin g gas, in which the condensing action is brought about by means of the passage of the gas over or in contact with surfaces cooled with water. It consists in forming the condenser of one or more columns, each provided with a double or jacketed interior pipe having' a water-space through which water can circulate, the gas being caused to pass through said pipe and column, substantially as hereinafter described. It also consists in effeetin g the circulation of water through the said water-space by means of siphon action, substantially as l hereinafter described. It also consists in drawing the water-supply for the condenser from or through the bottom or lower part of a gasholdin g tank, as and for the purposes hereinafter stated.

In the accompanying drawing I have represented an apparatus in which is embodied my invention.

Figure 1 is an elevation,zpartly in section, of the condenser. i Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrative of the mode of obtaining the water-supply. i

The improved gas-condenser consists essentially, in this instance, of the columns C C, Kclosed at the top and bolted onto the base D. Within each column is placed a double or jacketed pipe, H, with a water-space, S. The inlet-water pipe is shown at I, the outlet-water pipe atO, and the siphon-pipe at Q. These pipes, by their combined action, supply and remove the water to and from the water-space S. But one column is shown in section; but the n arrangement of pipes is the same in both. The

inlet-pipes connect with a common source of supply, and the outlet-pipes have a common exit, O. The inlet-gas pipe is shown at G and the outlet at W. The gas-connections are the same in each column. B is a bye-pass, by which the gas may be passed directly from G to W without going through the condenser.

An essential feature of the improvement is shown at Fig. 3-namely, the source and manner of water-connections. A exhibits a gasholder tank withits contained holder, and C the improved condenser. I shows a waterpipe of convenient size, doubled, and circulated around bottom of tank A.

` I-have found that the water inthe bottom of a gas-holder tank is from 150 to 200 Fahrenheit colder than well-water of the same depth, and I therefore, in the improved condenser, propose to take advantage of this fact, and, by passing water from any convenient source through the pipe I, Fig. 3, to cool the condensing-water to a temperature of the tankwater at the bottom-of the holder. To preserve such temperature4 during transit the pipe I, from the point U to the point K, should be enveloped with a non-conducting cement, and from the point K to the condenser it may be placed in coke or charcoal dust, so that the water arriving at the condenser may have gained as little in temperature as practicable. In certain cases it may be necessary that the inlet I1 shall be from two feet upward higher than the outlet I2 of the water-connections. The condensing-water may, if desired, be drawn directly from the Vbottom of the tank G; but, as it is generally deemed iuexpedient to change the water in gas-tanks onaccount of impoverishment of the gases, the plan of an independent source of water and the use of the gridiron or coil in the pipe I within the tank is preferred.

The improved condenser is operated as follows: The gas is made to arrive in the inlet G, and, following the course of the arrows, ascends by the double pipe H, Fig. 1, to the top, turns, and descends between the double pipe E and the exterior column C into the open or hollow base D, which is, of course, closed at the ends and on all sides to prevent escape of gas, and from thence it ascends in the left-hand column C, Fig. 1, inthe same manner that it descends the right-hand column between the inner double pipe and the column. Upon arriving at the top of the left-hand column C it enters the inner double pipe, and thence arrives at W. In case of any obstruction, the

opening ofthe valve B allows the gasto pass directly between Gr and W.

The operation of the condensin g-water is as follows: By attaching a pump to the siphonpipe Q at Q', and having both the inlet and outlet I1 and I2, Fig. 3, under water, the work- 'I ing of the pump will ll the water-space S,

pipes I entering the water-spaces S of the double pipes at the top, below the point X. As air accumulates in the-space a, Fig. l, at the top of the double pipe, it may be removed by the pump attached to Q. If the water-space S is made ordinarily tight the siphon action will be maintained readily for a considerable time.

Having now described my invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, what I claim,.and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a gas-condensing apparatus, the combination of a column and an interior double pipe containing' an annular water-space, through which pipe and exterior column the gas is caused to circulate up and down, substantially as herein shown and set forth.

2. In a gas-condensing apparatus, two or more columns provided each with an interior double or jacketed pipe with an annular water-space, in combination with means for conducting the gas from one column to the other in succession, and for circulating the same up and down through said columns, substantially as herein shown and set forth.

3. The mode herein described of circulating the water through the water space or spaces ofthe condensing apparatus by siphon action, substantially in the manner and by the means shown and set forth.

4. The mode herein described of obtaining the water-supply for the condensing apparatus by drawing thc same from or through the bottom or lower part of the gas-holding tank and conducting it tothe condenser, substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

5. A gas-condensing apparatus constructed and operating substantially as herein shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof` I havesigned my name to this specification before two subscribing Witnesses.

H. H. EDGERTON.

Witnesses Gno. MANIERRE, R. G. PATTON. 

